Florida Dems: We'll demand our own pledge

If IA, NH, SC, and NV can pressure the Democratic presidential hopefuls to sign a pledge boycotting FL's presidential primary, why can't Florida flex similar muscle? The state party is talking seriously about challenging the candidates to pledge that, should they win the nomination, they'll restore FL's 210 delegates to the party. Buzz isn't sure what the threat is, though, as the candidates have already willingly snubbed FL voters. That millions of FL Democrats will rise up against a candidate unless they're assured Janee Murphy and George Maurer get seated at the convention?

RELATED NEWS/ARCHIVE

Speaking of the always colorful Monroe County state committeeman Maurer, , he wants to oust Karen Thurman over all this. It won't happen.

Meanwhile, as the deadline passes for Fl to come into compliance with the DNC calendar, the state party is pushing the DNC to strip the delegates from IA, NH, and company for also violating the official calendar. The full letter is in the jump.

September 29, 2007 The Honorable Alexis M. Herman Mr. James Roosevelt, Jr. Co-Chairs, Rules and Bylaws Committee Democratic National Committee 430 S. Capitol St. SE Washington, DC 20003 Dear Co-Chairs: With this letter, the Florida Democratic Party officially reaffirms the Delegate Selection Plan submitted to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on August 7, 2007. In accordance with state law, the Plan designates the Presidential Preference Primary run by the State of Florida on January 29, 2008 as the first determining step in the delegate selection process. As we all know, on August 25, 2007, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee found Florida’s January 29 th state-run Primary in violation of Rule 11.A of the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention and issued a notice of non-compliance with a 30-day period to revise the Plan. However, after months of careful study and serious deliberation of all potential alternatives, the Florida Democratic Party determined that no other process could come close to meeting our principles of holding an open and fair election, maximizing participation, maintaining financial stability and building the Party to elect more Democrats. The Florida Democratic Party recognizes the responsibility of the DNC Rules and Bylaws to uphold the primary calendar no matter how broken the system may be. Although the Party maintains its compliance pursuant to Rules 20.C.7, 21.A & 21.B, it respects the fairness of the Committee’s intent to penalize any and all states that violate Rule 11.A, regardless of the circumstances. No meetings, caucuses, conventions or primaries… may be held prior to the first Tuesday in February or after the second Tuesday in June in the calendar year of the national convention. Provided, however, that the Iowa precinct caucuses may be held no earlier than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the Nevada first-tier caucuses may be held no earlier than 17 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the New Hampshire primary may be held no earlier than 14 days before the first Tuesday in February; and that the South Carolina primary may be held no earlier than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February. [Rule 11.A, Delegate Selection Rules] Similarly, the Florida Democratic Party has a responsibility to uphold the spirit of its Charter, which guides leadership with the following advice: “a political party which wishes to lead must listen to those it would lead, that a party which asks for the people’s trust must prove that it trusts the people…” For the Florida Democratic Party, this discussion has never been about a desire to “go first” nor a perception that this state would pick a better Presidential nominee than any other. Unfortunately, members of the Rules Committee have unjustly attacked the Party based on these false assumptions. To be clear, the Florida Democratic Party remains committed to the January 29 th state-run election because the people we wish to lead have sent a strong and overwhelming message that no acceptable alternative exists within the limitations of fairness, money and common sense. The Florida Democratic Party plans to appeal to the Credentials Committee of the Democratic National Convention to be seated. The Party encourages the states of Michigan, Iowa, and New Hampshire (and possibly South Carolina) – the delegations for which the Rules and Bylaws Committee will also be forced to reduce by 100% – to appeal to the Credentials Committee as well. The next President should not be nominated at a Convention with no less than all 50 of these United States present. With the discussion between the Rules and Bylaws Committee and the Florida Democratic Party having reached a conclusion, I thank you once again on behalf of all Florida Democrats for your time. Should you have any questions, I can be reached in our Tallahassee headquarters at (850) 222-3411. Sincerely, Congresswoman Karen L. Thurman Chair, Florida Democratic Party

Blog Search

About the blog

For Florida political news today, the Buzz is your can't-miss-it source. Tampa Bay Times writers offer the latest in Florida politics, the Florida Legislature and the Rick Scott administration. Keep in mind: This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the Tampa Bay Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.